Leading by example

Marcia Langton, Chair of Indigenous Studies at the University of Melbourne, is a well-known, sometimes controversial figure in Australia, respected here and internationally for her work across academic fields linked to Indigenous rights, justice and artistic and cultural expression. 

What many don’t know, though, is what the role of Chair actually means. Professor Langton says she’s often asked who the other members of her committee are.

In academic circles in Australia, Chair is the title given to professors responsible for a department’s academic, clinical, administrative and research activities. At the University of Melbourne, this is the case for Professor Langton in her role as Foundation Chair of Australian Indigenous Studies and for Professor Ian Anderson as Foundation Chair of Indigenous Higher Education. In both cases, they are also the first to be nominated in these roles – thus the ‘Foundation’ moniker. 

But according to Professor Anderson, whose family are Palawa Trowerna from the Pyemairrenner mob in Tasmania, which includes Trawlwoolway and Plairmairrenner and related clans, being first is neither relevant nor important. He was also, incidentally, the first Indigenous medical student to graduate from the University of Melbourne as well as, from 2004, being appointed Foundation Chair of Indigenous Health.

“It seems to me there’s always an element of surprise inherent in this reference to being first,” says Professor Anderson, “in much the same way as when someone mentions the first female aeronautical engineer, this can be inferred as somewhat patronising.

“What’s more important is to be recognised for actual contribution, not for being in the first-of category.

“It’s not something the University has made much of. When I graduated it was recognised by a telegram from the then Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Gerry Hand but, by and large, I didn’t get singled out during my undergraduate years, although I was supported by scholarships and access to other financial aid which I needed and appreciated at the time.”

Whereas Professor Anderson is an alumnus of the University of Melbourne – having commenced his undergraduate studies in 1983 and completing his Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) in 1989 – Professor Langton grew up in south-central Queensland and Brisbane as a descendant of the Yiman and Bidjara nations and came to the University in 2000 to take up the Chair in Indigenous Studies after a distinguished career as a student, academic and campaigner for Indigenous rights.

These days, as leaders of the Indigenous Studies and Higher Education portfolios at the University, they agree that much has changed over the years and much is still to be done, but also that solid foundations had already been laid to enable them to oversee the achievements made under their direction.

“Contrary to what most people seem to believe – that there was a paucity of Indigenous studies at the University of Melbourne when I was first appointed – there were in fact 36 subjects, wholly or partly covering Indigenous areas,” Professor Langton says.

“Over the seven years I was in the Faculty of Arts, there was a rich range of programs, some core, some developed by myself, that included 90 postgraduate students researching Indigenous-related topics.

“Thereafter, when working out of the Pro Vice-Chancellor’s office, these subject areas have been honed across the disciplines of linguistics, history, politics, medicine and health sciences, architecture and environmental science to concentrate in a more focused way on matters of everyday concern to Indigenous people including native title, traditions and customs, and political institutions.” 

In line with their shared commitment to a sustained growth of Indigenous staff and student numbers, Professor Langton and Professor Anderson have worked together to see the establishment of the Murrup Barak Melbourne Institute of Indigenous Development and have overseen a substantial increase in the number of Indigenous academic and professional staff at the University which currently includes three professors, one associate professor, and 230 academic staff involved in Indigenous studies. Projected growth of both staff and students has been enshrined in the University’s Reconciliation Action Plan, the introduction of which is a source of satisfaction and pride for both Professor Langton and Professor Anderson, as is the fact that the University has, at 80 per cent, the highest completion rates of any Australian university.

“Being in a position to encourage young people to come to university to pursue an academic career if that’s what they want or to forge a professional career in education is marvellous,” Professor Langton says.

Says Professor Anderson: “Being able to support capability and to watch young Aboriginal students grow and realise their aspirations gives me an immense sense of pride, as it does many other Indigenous Australians.”

www.pgh.unimelb.edu.au

www.murrupbarak.unimelb.edu.au